Total knee replacement

[schaadt]

HELLO,Ii AM GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE AROUND MY AGE HAS HAD A TKR. HERE IS MY STORY AND I WOULD LOVE SOME ADVICE. I HAVE HAD THREE KNEE SCOPES AND I'M BONE ON BONE AT THIS POINT. MY DR SAYS MY KNEE IS THE KNEE OF AN 80 YEAR OLD WOMAN. I WEIGHED 287 POUNDS AND HAD LOTS OF PAIN AS I WALKED AND THE DOCS WOULDN'T CONSIDER REPLACING MY KNEE BECAUSE I AM TOO YOUNG AND I AM A TEACHER THAT IS ON MY FEET ALL DAY. WELL WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I'VE LOST DOWN TO 200ISH POUNDS AND I AM PRETTY MUCH PAIN FREE. I'M PUSHED TO GET THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE I WANT TO CONTINE TO EXERCISE TO FINISH MY WEIGHT LOSS THAT I DID ON MY OWN WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF SURGERY. DO I PUSH THIS KNEE AS FAR AS I CAN OR DO I HAVE IT REPLACED FOR MORE MOBILITY. I'M GOING THROUGH THERAPY AND I AM AT AROUND 90-100 DEGREES AND DON'T THINK IT WILL GET ANY BETTER UNTIL THE KNEE JOINT IS LINED BACK UP AGAIN DUE TOT HE BONE OF BONE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

[Winikor]

Hi.  I'm 66 years old and had miniscus tare repair on both knees in 2009.  The surgeon, very well known and a sweetheart to boot told me that he only bought me some time but that I will be needing TKR in not too far in the future.  About 5 months ago, I took a step and when I turned to one side, my knee felt like it went out of its socket.  The pain was excruciating.  I got it back into a "livable" position and hoped it would fix itself.  It didn't.  Every movement I made it felt that it was dislocating. I had an MRI and the knee is in really bad shape.  Dr. wanted to try Synvisc but I've had that already and did not help.  I have been exercising and it feels better but I still can't bend, can't get on my knees or get off the floor.  I'm booked for a total knee replacement in less than 2 weeks and now I'm really scared after reading all the comments.  I have tried everything, I think, but I had heard people say that I would get my life back after a TKR.  That's if all goes well but I had no idea so much could go wrong afterwards.  Dr. Kaul, what would you suggest?  I already know what mistess says - DON'T DO IT.  Thank you in advance

[mistess]

Don't do it!!! Try Pain Management doctor first. Find one who is a Orthopaedic as he/she will understand fully your knee's condition. There are several remedies out there you can try. Let TKR be your last resort.
My name is Terrie, I turned 49 in January. Here's my story; I've had arthritis since my early twenties. Just like you I had been told after Arthroscopic surgery on both knees that I was bone on bone and needed TKR on both knees. After lots of pain and meds plus more than one doctor's opinion I decided to go forward. So last August (2012) I had my left knee done. Long story short! The pain I feel today is worse than EVER, encompassing my knee, leg, hip, ankle and now back. I cannot walk, sit down, get up, cook, kneel, lay dpwn on my back without severe pain. I've been to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital more than once. Looking back I would have rather dealt with my knee pain at least I was mobile.and NOT taking strong narcotics for the pain. I'm at the doctor more than I have ever been. Please DON'T do it! The pain in my right knee fails in comparason to the knee already done.

[schaadt]

Thank you for your advice.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

This would be a difficult question to answer without the relevant clinical details. A knee replacement is not preferred in young patients as the life of a knee replacement around 10-20 years (the newer devices last longer than the older ones). Though knee replacements are usually successful and help in regaining movements around the joint conservative management is preferred due to the risk associated with the replacement surgery and a possible re-replacement surgery. It would be best to discuss the situation and the best suitable management plan in detail with your treating orthopedician/
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!